Final answer:
Reproductive anatomy, influenced by genes, chromosomes, and hormones, reflects an individual's biological sex, which encompasses the gonads that produce gametes and sex hormones and is directed by the presence or absence of a Y-chromosome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reproductive anatomy, as produced by genes, chromosomes, and hormones, is known as biological sex. The primary components of human reproductive anatomy include gonads (testes in males, ovaries in females) that produce gametes (sperm or eggs) and sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen.
These hormones are crucial for the prenatal development of sex organs, sexual maturation during puberty, and reproductive functions after puberty. The Y-chromosome plays a significant role in this process. If present, it initiates the development of male reproductive anatomy, and in its absence, female reproductive anatomy develops.
The biological sex development begins in utero, where tissues differentiate into male or female sexual organs under the influence of hormones, particularly testosterone. The reproductive system then matures during puberty under the influence of hormones from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, further guiding the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the reproductive cycle.